AN INTERVIEW WITH AYESHA MIAN
Written by Ayesha Mian, Founder and CEO of Synapse, Pakistan Neuroscience Institute
1. Why is “an approach to leadership that resonates with women” needed?
For too long, women have aspired to actualise a leadership pinnacle defined, described and role modelled by men. Browsing through the leadership aisles in bookstores, one finds that most titles are authored by men and primarily from the Western world. The gold standard thus becomes a gendered, uncontextualized theory that is covertly forced upon all and sundry.
This may all be well, until one notices the gender disparities that continue to prevail despite all efforts. Evidence also shows that although women have made gains in wages, educational attainment and career prestige, they are less happy than their predecessors, both in absolute terms and relative to men. Leadership, as it currently stands, has also failed us, as climate change threatens to engulf our earth, mental health burden becomes insurmountable and the future fails to look hopeful.
As we look to create a new world order that is visionary and future fit, it is imperative to understand what fits with ease in half the world’s mind frame, the invisible half that tried to fit in a world designed by men and for men. A leadership approach that resonates with women is not only a discussion that has been a long time coming, but it may well bring out the elements of empathy, enterprise, collaboration, adaptability and the creativity needed for the world to heal and bounce back.
2. Halfway through the Expedition what are you uncovering?
There is much written, with backing data, about women not supporting other women in career paths and beyond. The Expedition has proven otherwise. Exceptional women leaders from across age, race, career specialties and time zones have worked together with compassion, patience, understanding, sharing of intellect and vulnerabilities towards a singular goal, giving a nebulous idea the shape of coherence in a space of immense psychological safety. One can therefore surmise that data suggesting otherwise is but a reflection of placing women in worlds where the rules are mired in a competitive, zero sum game.
It has also been an interesting process to see how as we peel layers of resonance, more nuances emerge; those of heritage and traditions, race and ethnicity, language and culture, patriarchy and colonialism, generational chiasm and diverse priorities and more. While it has been a journey of seeking answers of leadership, each member is also uncovering themselves, making this an odyssey of collective self realisation.
Words that have emerged repeatedly include collective vision, authenticity, integrity, excellence, harmony, collaboration, creative purpose, amongst others.
To read more about Ayesha, click here